Through their narratives, we found a connection to the super humans of the Olympics. They showed us how to persevere against odds, how to show respect, and if those in fierce competition with each other can show kindness, maybe we can learn to do the same.

The International Women's Writing Guild's 34th annual summer conference begins June 24 on the campus of Yale University. The Guild's goal is "personal and professional empowerment of women through writing," and it draws women from all over the world.